Kirkby-Wharfe (St. John the Baptist)

KIRKBY-WHARFE (St. John the Baptist), a parish, in the Upper division of the wapentake of Barkstone-Ash, W. riding of York, 2¼ miles (S. E. by S.) from Tadcaster; containing, with the townships of Grimston and Ulleskelf, 744 inhabitants, of whom 81 are in the township of Kirkby-Wharfe with North Milford. This parish, which is situated in the picturesque valley of Wharfdale, comprises by measurement 3192 acres, whereof 1660 are arable, 1427 meadow and pasture, and 105 woodland and plantations. Of the whole, about 1240 acres are in Kirkby-Wharfe with North Milford, the property of Lord Howden. The surface is undulated, and the scenery enriched with woods. The soil is extremely fertile, producing fine crops of wheat and other grain, and the meadows and pastures are luxuriant; the substratum is chiefly freestone of good quality for building, and whinstone affording excellent materials for the roads. The village is on the south bank of the Wharfe. The York and North-Midland railway passes through Ulleskelf, and is carried over the river by a bridge. The living is a discharged vicarage, valued in the king's books at £3. 16. 8.; net income, £117; patron, the Archbishop of York. The church is an ancient structure, in the early Norman style, with a tower of later date; it has been repewed, and the number of sittings has been increased by the erection of a gallery, which has by no means improved the appearance of the interior: there are numerous ancient monuments of the date 1300, and some very beautiful specimens of carved oak. At Ulleskelf is a place of worship for Wesleyans.

Transcribed from A Topographical Dictionary of England, by Samuel Lewis, 7th edition, published in 1848.